Eddie Howe told he should have picked £13m Newcastle player in shock role vs Arsenal

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Newcastle United fell short against Arsenal without Alexander Isak.

The Magpies were without their superstar striker at the Emirates Stadium, as Alexander Isak sat out Newcastle’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

Not for the first time, Newcastle United struggled in attack without Isak.

In his place, Callum Wilson started just his second Premier League game of the season. Wilson was disappointing, as he continued to show signs of rustiness leading the line.

Eddie Howe used the same system that provided victory against Chelsea, but it was not as effective on this occasion.

Pundit questions Eddie Howe’s tactics against Arsenal

Howe’s decision to use that 3-4-3 system and play Wilson up front has been questioned by Stephen Warnock, who believes that the Newcastle United manager made a mistake against Arsenal.

Speaking on The Football Show on Sky Sports News, Warnock suggested that Howe should have completely reshuffled his team, with the likes of Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn changing positions.

“I found it interesting yesterday,” he said.

“I thought Callum Wilson is never going to last the full game, so he’s almost your impact player. I just wonder what his [Eddie Howe] thought process was.

“If Arsenal had gone and dominated the ball, your biggest threat to Arsenal is counter-attacking football, and pace. Callum Wilson hasn’t got the pace that he used to have. He’s got good movement and instinct, but he’s not quite there. You could tell he looked a little bit rusty.

“Why not go with Anthony Gordon down the middle, play Harvey Barnes off the left and play Murphy higher up. Move Livramento onto the right-hand side who gives you natural width and a good relationship with Murphy. They both can play in that wide right position.

“Shuffle your pack a little bit. You might put Dan Burn into that left wing-back position. We know he’s played there before with Brighton. He knows that position.

“I just feel like with Livramento on the left, it was almost too predictable coming inside too much.

“You’ve lost that pace in the attacking third. There is only those two wide guys who are going to isolate you one-v-one. Callum Wilson is never going to run anyone.”

Eddie Howe criticism is unfair ahead of Newcastle summer rebuild

Warnock’s point is valid, but fails to acknowledge the fact that Howe did not have any real alternative.

Howe wanted to play with three centre-backs, having had joy with it at the Emirates already this season.

When it comes to Livramento, he has actually been very productive on the left of defence. If anything, he has been more of an attacking outlet since moving from right to left.

Had Burn played as a left wing-back, the Magpies actually would have had even less pace. The £13million defender is hardly blessed with speed, while he has never played as a wing-back during his Newcastle United career.

Sunday’s defeat merely proved that Newcastle need more depth, particularly up front.

Will Osula could have started up front. That would have given Newcastle more pace, but it is abundantly clear that Howe still does not trust the 21-year-old. Even when he was introduced as a striker in the second half, it did not take long for Howe to move Osula out wide.

That is why Howe wants to sign a striker, but it remains to be seen who could arrive at St James’ Park.

It does not look like it will be Liam Delap. He has been linked with a move to Tyneside, but Man United are favourites to sign Delap.